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Amp opens first dealership in Cincinnati

Danny King — Sat, 19 May 2012 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, USA, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp, the Ohio-based maker of battery-electric SUVs, has opened its first dealership in Cincinnati and said first deliveries would start by year end.

Amp of Cincinnati opened last week and showed off both its Jeep Grand Cherokee- and Mercedes-Benz ML350-based battery-electric vehicles. The dealership has started taking $5,000 deposits for the SUVs, which Amp says have a single-charge range of as many as 125 miles. Amp said in March that its SUVs qualified for the $7,500 tax credit from the IRS. That month, the company also said it reached an agreement to sell its SUVs in the Caribbean.

The company in January said the Jeep-based Amp would be priced at $57,400, bringing the out of pocket price just under $50,000.

Continue reading Amp opens first dealership in Cincinnati

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Amp electric SUVs qualify for $7,500 tax credit, Jeep Grand Cherokee available for $49,900

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Amp Electric Vehicles

The all-electric SUV conversions from Amp - gas-free versions of the Mercedes-Benz ML and the Jeep Grand Cherokee - now qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit from the IRS. Amp CEO Jim Taylor said in a statement that the announcement couldn't come at a better time. "Given the recent increase in gas prices and the low operating cost of an EV, more buyers are turning their attention to EV alternatives," he said.

Even though the official news just came through, Amp was clearly expecting the feds to qualify its cars for this credit. The company set the price for the Jeep Grand Cherokee EV at $57,400 during the Detroit Auto Show, which is a kind of unusual number unless you subtract $7,500 and realize you come up with just under $50,000, an important number for marketing purposes. Interested? Fleet and retail customers can reserve an Amp'd SUV here.

Continue reading Amp electric SUVs qualify for $7,500 tax credit, Jeep Grand Cherokee available for $49,900

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Amp announces deal to sell electric SUVs in the Caribbean

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Electric Vehicles is getting ready for some fun in the sun. The Ohio-based EV conversion company announced today that it has signed a deal with U-Go Stations Cayman to distribute its all-electric SUVs in the Caribbean islands. Amp converts both the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Mercedes-Benz ML vehicles to electric drive.

The memorandum of understanding that Amp signed with U-Go gives the distributor "exclusive retail and fleet distribution rights in the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St John, St Thomas, St Kitt, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Barbados." There was no mention of how many vehicles this deal might entail, but U-Go is building out a charging infrastructure in the Caribbean. The first demo vehicle should be delivered this summer, which is also when U-Go will start taking orders. Amp also has a potential deal to deliver up to 1,000 electric vehicles to Iceland.

Amp CEO Jim Taylor said in a statement that the islands are the right place for his company's EVs.

The combination of the near perfect weather conditions of the Caribbean Islands, the high cost of gasoline, the inherent short commutes of an island community and the desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil makes for an outstanding scenario for our EV's.

Continue reading Amp announces deal to sell electric SUVs in the Caribbean

Amp announces deal to sell electric SUVs in the Caribbean originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp annouces $57,400 price, first dealer for Jeep Grand Cherokee EV conversions

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:43:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Jeep, Detroit Auto Show, Amp Electric Vehicles

Ohio-based Amp Electric Vehicles may not have the newest concept vehicles at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but it did bring in a big politician: Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH, pictured), who touted the work that Amp is doing by converting two SUV models - the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Mercedes-Benz ML - to electric drive. Amp also announced the price for the electric Jeep, $57,400, and the first dealer who will sell the two electric SUVs, Dana Hackney of Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati. Brown said today's announcements we're "good news for Ohio." The two vehicles will be converted at Amp's engineering and production facility in Loveland, OH.

Amp founder and president Steve Burns kept the Ohio-centric messaging going by saying that, "We think cars should be built in the midwest, not in California," a not-so-subtle stab at Tesla Motors, which will also sell an EV for $57,400: the base level Model S. Burns later said that Amp isn't directly competing with Tesla, but that there is a subset of the people who may buy an electric sedan who would be interested in an SUV. The question, of course, is whether they will want an Amped Jeep, for which you can place an order today and with first deliveries scheduled for this fall, or if they will wait for the Tesla Model X, to be unveiled February 9th. We'll have a Quick Spin drive report of the two Amp vehicles up soon.

Continue reading Amp annouces $57,400 price, first dealer for Jeep Grand Cherokee EV conversions

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It's official: Amp bringing all-electric Jeep Grand Cherokee to Detroit

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:46:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Jeep, Amp Electric Vehicles

Surprised at the headline? Neither are we. But still, here's the official word from Amp Electric Vehicles: all-electric conversions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee are coming. Amp will start taking orders for both two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions of the battery-powered Grand Cherokee at the Detroit Auto Show in early January.

The roots for the reason that Amp has decicded to convert the Grand Cherokee go back to the DaimlerChrysler days, when the two big auto companies decided to build SUVs - including the M-Class and the Grand Cherokee - on the same platform. Since Amp has already done the work to convert the ML SUV, it "didn't have to change a bolt" to fit the electric powertrain into the Jeep. The only thing that's different, Amp president Steve Burns told AutoblogGreen, is how the powertrain software communicates with the vehicle. Performance, therefore, is also similar, so expect around 100 miles of range on a full charge of the 37.6-kWh li-ion phosphate battery. Burns said the ML is a little slipperier and better on the highway, while the Grand Cherokee is wider and performs better in the city. For more on the technical details of the ML, read this.

When the Amp Jeep Grand Cherokee comes to market early next year, Burns said, it will compete (in a sense) with the Tesla Model S and Model X. Sure, it's hard to compare a Model S to a Jeep, but when you're the only two companies selling all-electric luxury SUVs, you "compete" with whoever's around. The electric Jeep will also compete with the Model S on price. While Burns won't announce specific numbers just yet (firm pricing information, delivery dates and names of the first dealerships will be coming in January), he did say that the electric Grand Cherokee will compete with the lowest-priced Model S. So, figure a price of under $60,000 before a potential $7,500 federal tax credit. Burns said this should be a good sticker price. "The luxury market has proven to be receptive to the higher prices that EVs command," he said. "Jeep is considered a luxury SUV but not as high as a Mercedes. Now, we've got two different price points [to sell]."

Burns and his team are still proud to be converting vehicles, rather than trying to make something brand new. "As we see some of our peers fall by the way side, which is discouraging, most of them tried to build cars from scratch," he said. With the Jeep, "we were able to get to a quality vehicle and a well-liked vehicle and a top-selling vehicle" and offer an electric version wihtout taking billions in government money. Burns said this is something the team is "really happy about."

If you'd like to get your hands on one of these electrics, pay Amp a visit during the Detroit show by heading downstairs to the ride and drive. If you can't make it to the Motor City, Amp's website will be revamped by the time the show starts and it will take online and telephone orders. In early 2012, at least five cities in the U.S. will have Amp vehicles for sale at already-existing dealerships. For a company that has made a business out of using infrastructure and products that are already out there, this simply makes sense.

Continue reading It's official: Amp bringing all-electric Jeep Grand Cherokee to Detroit

It's official: Amp bringing all-electric Jeep Grand Cherokee to Detroit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iceland's plug-in vehicle push gets aired with Independent People

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Europe/EU, Amp Electric Vehicles, Videos

The Icelandic television program Independent People (Sjálfstætt fólk) recently aired a half-hour episode all about charismatic entrepreneur Gísli Gíslason and his efforts to begin to shift the entire fleet of gas-powered vehicles in that country to plug-in power. If you can't tell he's worth spending 30 minutes with, just look at the way he rocks a silver suit while posing with an all-electric ML from Amp Electric Vehicles (taken when the first AMP EV hit the streets of Reykjavik back in May). That's style.

Gislason told AutoblogGreen:

The show was about me and my mission of changing things here in Iceland - from gasoline cars to EVs. I had the chance to explain everything about EVs, the infrastructure and the benefits - and also point out that now the biggest barrier is our mind (other things have been solved).
And since I have bought a ticket with Virgin Galactic, my space trip was also one of the topics of the show. I will be the first Icelander to go into space with the Icelandic Flag. The show was a huge hit here in Iceland - and did really wake people up.

One reason why EVs have such potential in Iceland is that there are no import taxes on them, while gas-powered vehicles have a very high VAT (values added tax) plus the import taxes. Gislason said, "The plan is to re-pay the VAT (sales added tax) on all EVs from January 1st until 2020 or until 10 percent of the fleet is using 'green energy' (whichever comes first) - the VAT on cars is now 25.5 percent (on top of the price of the car + transportation cost + import taxes)." If Iceland's plan is a success, "similar incentives" are on tap for Norway, he said.

The first step of Gislason's goal is to make the EV a "viable choice for the general public in Iceland" by the end of 2012. The three facets of this plan include offering both slow and fast charging, providing a "wide selection" of electric cars, and to, "Make the necessary mind change for this to happen." Sounds interesting, no? Check out Independent People (with English subtitles) after the jump.

Continue reading Iceland's plug-in vehicle push gets aired with Independent People

Iceland's plug-in vehicle push gets aired with Independent People originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp bringing new electric SUV to Detroit, no longer working on Equinox EV

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Detroit Auto Show, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Electric Vehicles announced today that it will reveal a brand new all-electric SUV at the quick-approaching 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Right after the curtain is pulled back, a running prototype will be part of the Ride & Drive, so we'll be able to take the SUV for a spin in early January.

Amp isn't saying what model it will convert, but it does say that the SUV has "an All-American image." Considering that Amp already converts the Mercedes-Benz ML EV, our speculation is that the new Amp electric SUV uses the similar Jeep Grand Cherokee, but we'll have to wait until we get to Detroit to make sure.

Amp CEO Jim Taylor told AutoblogGreen that there are two main reasons for the new SUV. First, some fleet managers can't afford to buy the Mercedes, both because it's expensive and because it's a foreign brand. Second, since Amp has aborted making conversions of the Equinox (for "a bunch of reasons," Taylor said), it wanted a domestic vehicle to sell. Both the ML EV and the new SUV will be converted in Ohio. Taylor used to run Cadillac, then moved over to Hummer and became Amp CEO last December.

About a year ago, Amp approached GM about partnering up on all-electric SUVs, but did not get a positive response and felt it needed to "roll the dice" on a new platform. Since Amp's team is made up of many ex-GM employees, some were prejudiced to keep working on the Equinox, Taylor said, but the cost reality meant that making a shift to the new SUV was financially the better move. The powertrain that is being used in the ML EV is the same that is going into the new SUV, so that will help keep costs down as well.

Earlier this year, Amp delivered its first electric Equinox to Dayton Power and Light. Amp also has an order to deliver electric SUVs to Iceland, and we look forward to seeing how many will be Benzes and how many will be Jeeps. Or whatever.

Continue reading Amp bringing new electric SUV to Detroit, no longer working on Equinox EV

Amp bringing new electric SUV to Detroit, no longer working on Equinox EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: Amp ML EV

Sebastian Blanco — Sat, 21 May 2011 17:53:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Amp Electric Vehicles

The Right Vehicle To Start Moving A Country Off Gasoline

Amp Electric Mercedes-Benz ML EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Amp isn't the first company to figure out that luxury vehicles can better hide the cost of an expensive battery pack than an econobox - Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive pioneered this strategy - but this is a case where you don't have to be first to benefit. After spending a few years learning how to convert standard ICE vehicles from General Motors to electric drive (the Saturn Sky and Chevrolet Equinox), Amp last week delivered its first converted Mercedes-Benz: a honking ML 350.

Now called the Amp ML EV, the world's first production all-electric SUV was the star of the show at an event held last week attended by all of Amp's top brass as well as the mayors of Cincinnati and Blue Ash (the suburb where Amp is located) and a representative of the governor of Ohio. In their speeches, the politicians made it clear they were proud that a local business would be giving an environmental benefit to a country halfway around the world, and that this showed the region's economic powerful reach. The real reason for the shindig, after all, was to hand over the keys to the ML EV's first and most important customer: Gisli Gislason, the chairman and CEO of Iceland's Northern Lights Energy (NLE), which has ordered 1,000 of these babies. We were on hand because Amp promised to let us drive it. Continue reading...

Gallery: Amp Electric Mercedes-Benz ML EV

Continue reading Quick Spin: Amp ML EV

Quick Spin: Amp ML EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 21 May 2011 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMP delivers first all-electric Mercedes-Benz ML 350 to Northern Lights Energy

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 11 May 2011 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mercedes Benz, Amp Electric Vehicles

The vision of an Iceland filled with electric vehicles got a bit more real today in, of al places, Ohio. At a press conference at Amp's facility in Cincinnati, the EV conversion company delivered the first of potentially 1,000 all-electric SUVs to Gisli Gislason, chairman and CEO of Northern Lights Energy. The vehicle in question is Amp's latest conversion, a Mercedes-Benz ML 350.

The 1,000-vehicle order - potentially worth $100 million U.S. - has been in devlopment since last November, when NLE and AMP signed a letter of intent for the SUVs (the companies signed a "definitive agreement" last month). Today, Gislason was all smiles and thumbs up as local politicians and Amp employees milled around the showroom with the Amp Mercedes-Benz ML EV (one of only two Amp has converted thus far). Amp said that "volume deliveries" should start this September. NLE plans to begin selling converted SUVs models, including Amp's Chevrolet Equinox EVs, in Iceland and other Nordic countries. We'll have more from Cincinnati soon and, until then, you can find more details in Amp's press release after the jump.

[Source: AMP Holding Inc.]

Continue reading AMP delivers first all-electric Mercedes-Benz ML 350 to Northern Lights Energy

AMP delivers first all-electric Mercedes-Benz ML 350 to Northern Lights Energy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 May 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp, NLE definitively agree to bring up to 1,000 electric SUVs to Iceland

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Europe/EU, Amp Electric Vehicles

In November, Northern Lights Energy signed a letter of intent to buy 1,000 converted electric SUVs from Amp Electric Vehicles. This was the first big step in NLE's plan to turn Iceland into a country full of electric vehicles and deliveries were supposed to start in early 2011 and continue for the following five years. The electric SUVs - initially Chevrolet Equinoxes and then also Mercedes Benz ML vehicles and, potentially, other models - will be first sold in Iceland, and later in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Faroe Islands, Amp said.

Last week, Amp and NLE signed a "definitive agreement" for these 1,000 vehicles, saying that the potential value could be over $100 million (which comes to around $100,000 per Equinox) and that the first delivery is scheduled for May. Twenty more will be delivered in September.

These vehicles will be used by "fifty Icelandic companies and government offices, including the Ministry of the Environment," Gisli Gislason, chairman and CEO of Northern Lights Energy, said in a statement. IF NLE gets its way, this number will increase to 300 companies in the near future. NLE has also ordered 150 all-electric converted Range Rovers from Liberty Electric Cars.

[Source: Amp Holding Inc.]

Continue reading Amp, NLE definitively agree to bring up to 1,000 electric SUVs to Iceland

Amp, NLE definitively agree to bring up to 1,000 electric SUVs to Iceland originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp to immediately kick off "low-rate SUV production"

Eric Loveday — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Equinox - Click above for high-res image gallery

In mid-January, Amp Electric Vehicles, an automotive company that converts OEM vehicles over to battery-powered rides, delivered its first electrified Equinox to Dayton Power and Light. Now, there's word that more of them there electrified SUVs will hit U.S. streets soon.

Amp's chief executive officer, James Taylor (no, not the legendary singer), former head of General Motors' Cadillac and Hummer divisions, has, in his first 100 days as CEO, reviewed the status of the company, offering up this statement:

During my first 100 days, we have done a bottom up review, leveraging internal and external automotive expertise to provide a clear company assessment and establish our business plans. A good portion of our recent efforts have been focused on cost targets and production for our fully electric SUV's.

After completing his extensive review, Taylor proudly reports that:

Amp will immediately initiate low-rate SUV production while finalizing certain vehicle validations, followed by larger scale production planned for the 4th quarter of 2011.

We take that to mean that at least one more plug-in option will hit the U.S. market soon.

Gallery: Amp Equinox

Live photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Amp Electric Vehicles]

Continue reading Amp to immediately kick off "low-rate SUV production"

Amp to immediately kick off "low-rate SUV production" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp Electric Vehicles gets help from New Motor Advisors

Eric Loveday — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, USA, Amp Electric Vehicles

In mid-January, Amp Electric Vehicles, an automotive firm that converts OEM vehicles over to battery-electric drive, delivered its first electrified Equinox to Dayton Power and Light. With more deliveries scheduled, Amp has turned to New Motor Advisors, a Michigan-based automotive consulting firm, for assistance with product development strategies, commercialization and execution.

New Motor Advisors, with over 200 years of combined product development experience, frequently assists both established and start-up automotive companies like Amp. New Motor Advisors has extensive ties in the automotive world, which could help build Amp's consumer base and provide the start-up firm with contacts throughout the industry. Jim Taylor, chief executive officer of Amp, said the tie up, "brings added depth of automotive experience we can leverage at this stage of our development."

With a massive 1,000-unit order for Amp's electric SUVs placed by Northern Lights Energy, a bit of assistance may be just what the plug-in conversion firm needs.

[Source: New Motor Advisors]

Continue reading Amp Electric Vehicles gets help from New Motor Advisors

Amp Electric Vehicles gets help from New Motor Advisors originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp delivers first electric Equinox to Ohio utility

Eric Loveday — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Electric Vehicles, a firm that's actively engaged in converting conventional vehicles over to battery-electric drive, announced that it has delivered its first electric Equinox to Dayton Power and Light (DPL), a utility company located in Ohio. Back in 2009, DPL established a test program aimed at prepping the utility company for electric vehicles (EVs) within its service area. The battery-powered Equinox will allow DPL to conduct real-world electric vehicle tests and modify its services to meet the needs of future EV owners.

According to DPL, switching from a gasoline-fueled auto to an electrified vehicle within the utility provider's area of service can result in significant operational cost savings:

The cost of electricity as fuel for a typical electric car is 2.8 cents per mile, compared to 11 cents per mile for a gasoline-powered car, based on 25 miles per gallon at $2.75 per gallon. The yearly cost of electricity for a DPL customer to operate an all-electric vehicle would be approximately $336, assuming it is driven 12,000 miles annually.

That's almost $1,000 less than the hypothetical gas vehicle DPL mentions, which would cost $1,320 in gas for the year at 11 cents a mile. The electrified Amp Equinox features a lithium-ion battery pack, a pair of rear-mounted Remy electric motors and can cover up to 100 miles of tarmac on a full charge. After our brief drive at the 2010 Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit, we can confirm that the converted AMP Equinox is a solid electric SUV.

[Source: Amp Holdings]

Continue reading Amp delivers first electric Equinox to Ohio utility

Amp delivers first electric Equinox to Ohio utility originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp Electric Vehicles names former Cadillac, Hummer head as CEO

Eric Loveday — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:54:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Cadillac, HUMMER, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Electric Vehicles continues its quest to stand on the shoulders of industry giants with proven track records. In this latest round of hirings, Amp has once again chosen to bolster its staff with top auto execs as it eyes increased production and sales of its vehicles. As Amp president Steve Burns told us in the past:

We've been kind of non-automotive. What we've been doing is layering in a lot of automotive executives. A lot of 30-year executives have been coming in because they're available. There was a lot of brain drain.

This time around, Amp has chosen to appoint James Taylor as its new vice chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). Taylor's extensive experience in the automotive industry includes heading up the Cadillac and Hummer divisions while working with General Motors. In addition, Amp selected Joseph Paresi as chairman of the board. In the past, Paresi held positions such as director of technology at Lockheed Martin and executive vice president of L-1 Identity Solutions.

Just in case you're wondering, Amp Founder and current CEO, Steve Burns, is not leaving the company. Burns will become Amp's president and focus his attention on fulfilling current orders and signing deals with new customers.

[Source: Amp Holdings]

Continue reading Amp Electric Vehicles names former Cadillac, Hummer head as CEO

Amp Electric Vehicles names former Cadillac, Hummer head as CEO originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iceland's Northern Lights Energy places order for 1,000 Amp electric SUVs

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Europe/EU, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Equinox - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in September, we detailed Northern Lights Energy's plans to turn Iceland into a country full of electric vehicles. In the past, NLE has made deals to bring the Reva NXR to the island country but today the project gets a huge shot in the arm with the announcement that NLE will purchase 1,000 electric SUVs from Amp Holding Inc. over the next five years. The first vehicles will be delivered in early 2011.

All that the partners are saying now is that they have a Letter of Intent to buy/sell a, "variety of all-electric SUVs," which could include the Chevy Equinox that Amp currently offers or maybe the mysterious SUV Amp is converting for an unnamed OEM or an entirely new vehicle. The deal is "subject to various conditions" - including a review by NLE's EV Project Consortium members and a public exhibition - but it sounds like very good news to both Amp and Iceland's efforts to further wean itself off of oil. Most importantly, "NLE's interest and commitment is contingent upon AMP successfully demonstrating and meeting certain conditions pertaining to the production and specifications of its EVs."

As the only company offering an SUV-sized electric vehicle, Amp is a great fit for NLE since around 35 percent of the vehicles sold in Iceland are SUVs. Gisli Gislason, CEO of NLE, said in a statement that Amp is, "an ideal partner to work towards our underlying goal of radically improving the transportation industry in Iceland." NLE will use some of the electric SUVs in its fleet and also offer them for sale in Iceland.

Gallery: Amp Equinox

[Source: Amp Holding Inc.]

Continue reading Iceland's Northern Lights Energy places order for 1,000 Amp electric SUVs

Iceland's Northern Lights Energy places order for 1,000 Amp electric SUVs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp to electrify three Saturn Vues for DTE Energy fleet

Eric Loveday — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Holdings, a company actively engaged in converting conventional vehicles over to battery-electric drive, has signed a deal to modify three of DTE Energy's gas-burning SUVs. This time around, Amp will tackle a trio of Saturn Vues, ripping out the unnecessary gasoline engine and its associated hardware and dropping in the company's exclusive modular electric powertrain in its place. The Amp'd DTE Energy Vues boast a claimed range of up to 150 miles and offer drivers the option to recharge via a standard 120-volt outlet or by utilizing the significantly quicker method of plugging in to a 240-volt hookup.

Back in 2008, DTE Energy was allocated a $5-million grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission and will spend a portion of the awarded money to fund the SUV battery-electric conversions. Amp aims to completely overhaul and deliver at least one of the Vues to DTE by year's end. It'll be interesting to see how the converted Vues compare to the much-improved Amp'd Equinox that we tooled around in at the 2010 Business of Plugging In conference less than a month ago.

DTE is testing a lot of alternative-fueled and high-mpg vehicles, including a Ford Transit Connect, 800 biodiesel-powered trucks and service vehicles and a PHEV Ford Escape.

[Source: AMP Holdings]

Continue reading Amp to electrify three Saturn Vues for DTE Energy fleet

Amp to electrify three Saturn Vues for DTE Energy fleet originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp Electric Vehicles adds two senior auto execs as company consultants

Eric Loveday — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Electric Vehicles has made tremendous strides with its Amp'd Equinox. After our drives at this year's New York Auto Show and during the Automotive X-Prize, we learned that the converted Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicle (EV) displayed some unpleasant traits. But our perception of the vehicle changed for the better after a brief drive at the 2010 Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit confirmed that tweaks made throughout the summer have, ahem, converted this electric Equinox into solid EV.

With the Amp'd Equinox hopefully ready for prime time and the company secretively working to electrify a major OEM's SUV, it's seems a fine time to bolster the staff with some more top auto execs. As Amp president Steve Burns told us recently, taking executives minted by other companies allows the company to stand on the shoulders of industry giants with proven track records:

We've been kind of non-automotive. What we've been doing is layering in a lot of automotive executives. A lot of 30-year executives have been coming in because they're available. There was a lot of brain drain.

Amp's newest industry vets include Larry Lyons and Ronald Sobrero, who both join the team as consultants. Lyons brings more than four decades of automotive experience to Amp. Prior to retiring, Lyons worked at Chrysler as vice president of core components, process, and international engineering. Before that, he spent 34 years at General Motors on the product development side of things. Sobrero has racked up more than 45 years of experience in the automotive industry. His stints include work with General Motors and American Suzuki. Sobrero's background includes position that range from dealer contracting to sales, distribution and marketing.

Lyon's expertise in product development and Sobrero's sales experience will become increasingly important as Amp eyes increased production and sales of its products. Hat tip to Preston!

[Source: Amp Holdings]

Continue reading Amp Electric Vehicles adds two senior auto execs as company consultants

Amp Electric Vehicles adds two senior auto execs as company consultants originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp Electric Vehicles leads plug-in conversion pack with Equinox EV

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:48:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Green Daily, Amp Electric Vehicles

This is a big week for Amp Electric Vehicles, because the fledgling electric vehicle (EV) conversion company is finally delivering its first Amp'd Equinox to a fleet customer. Amp president Steve Burns told AutoblogGreen that the converted Chevrolet Equinox has been much, much improved since we drove it earlier this year at the New York Auto Show and then again during the Automotive X-Prize. We were able to get behind the wheel in a parking lot course set up at the 2010 Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit last week and we can confirm Burns' words. The vehicle accelerates without any hiccups. There is no "clump" sound like we heard before, and acceleration is so well mapped that if feels like you're in a vehicle half the size of an Equinox. It almost feels like a totally different vehicle from the ones we've driven before, and the changes are all positive.

Burns said the Equinox team made a breakthrough in mid-July, finding the balance where all the tweaking finally provided the ride comfort and performance that drivers will expect. The SUV also has stiffer springs than it used to and is one heck of a lot quieter. The team made refinements to the heating and air conditioning systems, too. There is a little more left to do, but what we have here is a product that's ready for the marketplace.

None too soon, too. Burns said that Amp is busy converting an SUV for a secret OEM partner, about which we have lots more after the jump.

Gallery: Amp Equinox

Continue reading Amp Electric Vehicles leads plug-in conversion pack with Equinox EV

Amp Electric Vehicles leads plug-in conversion pack with Equinox EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Is AMP converting a Mercedes-Benz ML-350 for Daimler?

Domenick Yoney — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mercedes Benz, USA, Daimler, Amp Electric Vehicles

Recently we learned that AMP electric vehicles had made a deal with an undisclosed automaker to electrify one of their SUVs. While one might legitimately suspect the unnamed one is General Motors, since the Chevrolet Equinox has already been the subject of AMP's conversion process, there is now word that another, somewhat unexpected company might be behind the request.

Citing an "inside source" and offering up an "exclusive spy photo" (not pictured above), Autospies is reporting that the SUV in question is actually a Mercedes Benz ML-350. Wait, what? Who? Does that mean Daimler has been stepping out on a certain Californian electric vehicle company in which it has not only invested, but also contracted with for battery and controls tech? It would certainly seem a bit strange given that Tesla had to take the initiative, buy an A-Class and convert it themselves to show reps from the German giant what a great idea it was.

Perhaps that incident convinced some white collared higher-ups that the company needed to be a bit more proactive and this is the odd fruit born of that episode. To put an end to the speculation and satisfy our curiosities we called AMP and asked whether they could confirm or deny this rumor. They could do neither. And so, we leave it to you to weigh in with your considered opinions in the comments section below.

[Source: Autospies]

Rumormill: Is AMP converting a Mercedes-Benz ML-350 for Daimler? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp inks deal to convert SUV to electric drive for unnamed OEM

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Equinox - Click above for high-res image gallery

Amp Holding Inc., the company behind Amp Electric Vehicles and the all-electric conversions of the Saturn Sky and the Chevrolet Equinox (pictured), announced today it has, "signed an agreement with a major OEM to electrify one of its SUVs." Only scant details are available in the official press release, but Amp has apparently already begun the engineering process and has the vehicle in its care. Amp is claiming it will take two months to finish the engineering process and give the SUV back. Amp's CEO, Steve Burns, said in a statement:

Time is not a luxury, it's a race to the finish now - AMP possesses the scalability and nimbleness to get an OEM to mass production with an already existing model literally within months. We believe the development of this prototype is a huge vote of confidence for our technology. ... We've already done [a conversion] with the 2010 GM Equinox, and we're going to be doing it again within the next few months with another mainstream SUV.

Amp says it "expects to explore additional initiatives with other OEMs in the near future." Maybe someone at Ford or Chrysler believes Burn's claim that the converted Equinox will be a "Leaf beater."

In July, Amp was eliminated from the Automotive X-Prize. The competition car, the converted Sky, managed to hit 90 miles per gallon equivalent, but emitted more than 200 grams of CO2 per mile in the wells-to-wheel calculation and was also unable to complete all of the required laps in the Range Event.

Gallery: Amp Equinox

[Source: Amp Holding Inc.]

Continue reading Amp inks deal to convert SUV to electric drive for unnamed OEM

Amp inks deal to convert SUV to electric drive for unnamed OEM originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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